There's honestly nothing "hardcore" about the current crafting scene, especially if it's in regards to unlocking the recipes. It's always been about numbers, planning how many steps you need to finish a craft, how many CP you have for durability restoration/100% touches, and praying that you get goods for TotT or no fails on your 80% abilities.

Hell, even in regards to the book if the stars didn't allign, you'd straight up trade the NQ items to refund the important items to try again (demimateria, the x3 items and the GC seal item).

All crafting takes is time, money, commitment and some RNG.